After a three year hiatus, I'll be back working in a fire lookout this summer ..

[DemoTex]

I'll be working the Idaho high-country, in one of the highest fire lookouts (at 9945 feet!) in the US. I'll have views of the Salmon Mountains, the Sawtooth Range, and the River-of-No-Return Wilderness. I'll post more details as fire season gets closer.

[kentuck]

1. We can expect more great photos?

[DemoTex]

26. With any luck!

[USALiberal]

2. What is your shift? nt

[DemoTex]

25. June - September

Probably 10 days on & 4 days off.

[USALiberal]

38. Constantly scanning for smoke? Only one person at a time in room? nt

[JohnnyLib2]

3. I'm really looking forward to your reports and photos--

being a displaced desert kid!

[livetohike]

4. Can't wait to see the pics! n/t

[struggle4progress]

32. +

[blm]

5. Are you looking forward to this? It's been awhile.

But, sure love your dedication and your photos.

[DemoTex]

27. Some trepidation about the elevation ..

But my last lookout was at almost 9000 feet.

[blm]

30. Wishing you the best.

As always.

[A HERETIC I AM]

47. That was the one above Tucson?

Yes?

[peacebuzzard]

6. Wondered what happened ....

Great to hear the news.

[inwiththenew]

7. Pretty cool

I hiked up Mt Washburn in Yellowstone and they had one of those up there. Pretty neat to see.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

8. Great! - I hope that means more pictures. Please. nt

[skip fox]

9. A great time for Kerouac's Desolation Angels!

Seriously.

[DemoTex]

34. Required reading in the fire lookout ..

[erronis]

39. Yep - Desert Solitaire by the original Monkey Wrench Gangsta.

I remember reading this in the late 60s and loving the views of nature, and the human kind.

I think I have an autographed copy somewhere unless one of my countless kids has made off with it.

[skip fox]

46. Isn't there a Philip Whalen watchtower sequesnce as well?

[Backseat Driver]

10. We'll be here to liven up your world as always but especially during that term of service, DemoTex.

Lonely digs on those mountaintops. We count on your expertise and observations across the forests. Keep those peepers open and send down those fantastic photos!

[Karadeniz]

11. Aren't there some dangers to being in high altitudes? I hope there are some preventative

Measures you can take!!!

[DemoTex]

36. I worked a lookout at about 9000 feet for three fire seasons ..

I'll acclimate to the altitude very quickly. I'm just worried about the cold temperatures, but the lookout has both a wood burning stove and a propane heater.

[lpbk2713]

12. No more P-2 in your sig line?

I've been around them but never flew in one before.

[DemoTex]

42. Here 'ya go:

NAF Cam Ranh Bay
Vietnam - 1970/71

[lpbk2713]

43. Outstanding.

[flotsam]

49. Am I crazy

or is that nacelle damaged?

[FirstLight]

13. sounds amazing...I look forward to you doing this and sharing again!

How did you get into this job/gig? It's awesome, I look forward to your updates!

[Bob Loblaw]

14. Congrats

Thanks for the work you do, and for your artistry.

[mountain grammy]

15. Good news! Love your photos.

[berni_mccoy]

16. Good to hear!

[Throck]

17. I always thought fire lookout was a really cool job.

The girl who sat behind me in homeroom got a job as one and moved to Montana. She loved solo hiking, planted a garden at the base of her tower. Ultimately got married to a firefighter, fellow fire watch guy she met. Haven't seen her at recent reunions but her brothers fill me in.

How long is a shift? Are you allowed to read? Are you allowed to nap? Do you have to work during thunderstorms?

[marieo1]

18. Green with Envy!!!

I have worked fires for Minnesota. In fact, I went to Miles City, Montana a couple of times as a dispatcher. It is exciting but it would be so rewarding to have such wonderful views. I envy you!!!

[Botany]

19. And your friends will be waiting to see you.

[DemoTex]

37. You would remind me!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

54. 💚💚💚

[2naSalit]

20. Cool!

I haven't been over that way in a few years, not many really. You'll get to hear wolves at night!

I might have to come out and visit you! It's not that far from me even though I'm not in Idaho.

Can't wait to see your new pictures!

ETA: It's pretty chilly much of the time over there. I've spent a couple summers in that area, working and doing research. Bring plenty of base layers!

[marble falls]

21. Need a book or two?

[Wounded Bear]

22. Dayum! Don't forget your oxygen tanks...

Love your posts and photos. Be safe and enjoy!

[shanti]

23. Can't wait for the pics!

I bet you have lots of strange stories about things you've seen from your times in the wilderness.

[B Stieg]

24. Very Cool That You're Back On The Scene!

[Blues Heron]

28. righteous. looking forward to dispatches.

[totodeinhere]

29. I spent two summers on fire lookouts during the 70s.

One summer I was on Green Mountain and another summer I was on Miners Ridge. Both are in the North Cascades in Washington State. When I was on Green Mountain I had to hike downhill for a mile to get water from s stream, then pack it back uphill on my back. Quite an experience. Author Jack Kerouac had been stationed as a lookout at Miners Ridge at one time. I could still see his signature on old log books stored at the lookout.

[warmfeet]

31. I am jealous.

Nice gig.

[CabalPowered]

33. My favorite part of Idaho!

Congratulations! That's some of the most beautiful country in the lower 48..

[elleng]

35. WONDERFUL!

Your pics are one of the best things about summer!!!

[blogslut]

40. Yay!

[democrank]

41. Good news

Great photos

[Iggo]

44. Nice!

[AllaN01Bear]

45. i thought that u all were extinct , but i was wrong. boy i leanred something today.

[Hekate]

48. All the best!

Stay safe, too. Looking forward to your reports.

[wysimdnwyg]

50. Very nice

I always appreciated your threads from the lookout stations you visited.

[Sloumeau]

51. Please remember to light the Warning beacon of Gondor if needed. :) eom

[flying_wahini]

52. My questions...

Presumably you have an internet connection? Alone the whole time?
Regarding 10 days on& 4 off schedule... what do you do when you are off? When on duty-
Do you have to stay up there the whole time? Can you leave at all?

[DemoTex]

58. Alone, except for visitors ..

There is cell service and internet. I'll take ham radio equipment and Sirius radio. While on duty, my hours are 8-4:30. After hours I can explore. I am planning to do some fly fishing on nearby waters. But once the lightning (and fires) start, I'll go on a dawn to dusk schedule, or even after dark for problem fires.
On my off days, I will hang out in Stanley and enjoy the mountain life. Some time is required to do laundry and re-provision. I can see, perhaps, going into Boise for the big stuff (Costco, REI, etc). I expect that my wife will visit, too, probably on my off days (she can't do the 10,000 foot lookout due to altitude sickness).
But, the bottom line is lots of photography and videography. Thinking about a drone. I'll do a blog, and probably a video blog.
The time will fly. Due to the elevation and snows, it is a very short fire lookout season in the high country.

[trof]

53. Damn! You taking oxygen with you?

I'd get hypoxic at that altitude.

[DemoTex]

59. I think the masks drop down automatically ..

Right?

[catchnrelease]

55. So glad to hear this!

I've missed your Summer reports and photos, this is great news!

[burrowowl]

56. Looking forward to new photos!

[mnhtnbb]

57. Wow! I hope you enjoy the time, take LOTS of photos

to share with us, and do not have a busy fire season.